Corporate Business Gifts
The secret of effective business corporate gifts is not just about having a stock of sleek items in your storage cabinet ready to be given to important clients and business partners. More than the gift itself, it is your purpose and manner of giving that will determine the effectiveness of your corporate gift-giving program vis-à-vis your company’s goals.
Aside from giving gifts during holiday seasons, corporate gifts can also be used for other occasions and circumstances. Some companies use corporate gifts for employee recognition. This is especially applicable for organizations with no structured incentive program. Gifts are used to recognized exemplary performance or significant contribution to the company. Gifts may also be given to key suppliers and major clients and in appropriate cases to media and government agencies.
Although gifts are generally welcome and most companies do give gifts as one way of building and developing relationships with customers and business partners, some practical and ethical considerations must be observed.
One of the first things you need to find out when giving business corporate gifts is the policy of the giving and receiving company on gifts. There are some sensitive industries or positions where the idea of giving or receiving gifts is not welcome. These include companies in the financial services, insurance, as well as government agencies. Whenever possible, ask potential recipients about their policy on receiving gifts so as not to put them in a compromising position.
Generally, gifts should be modest and not lavish or extravagant. A gift could easily be mistaken as bribe so givers must always be cautious not to give the wrong impression. Otherwise, the gift could ruin instead of build a good business relationship.
It is also considered unethical to give gifts while your company is involved in bidding. Your action, however well-meaning, may be taken as manipulative gesture to influence business decisions and it could prove to be your own undoing. To be safe, keep your corporate gift giving on major holidays and special occasions.
Consider also the kind of business relationship you have with the recipients of your gifts. Like in the case of your ad specialties and promotional giveaways, your corporate gifts should always be consistent with your company’s image as well as that of your recipients. For key personalities in an organization, it is good to take the time to really match the gift to the personal style and preferences of the recipients.
Giving the gift at the right time is also very important. Aside from holidays where gifts are often expected, you can take advantage of significant days and events to your recipients such as birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, among others. Good presentation and packaging could also leave a very good and lasting impression on your recipients.
Depending on the circumstances and the nature of your relationship with the recipients, business corporate gifts may be given in person or sent through a courier. However you decide to send the gift, make sure it gets delivered to the right address. Nothing is more unfortunate than having gifts mixed up and sent to the wrong people. Even if you are caught in the Christmas frenzy, you should avoid this embarrassment.
Popular corporate gifts include food items, wine and liquor, office accessories, travel accessories, among others. You can source corporate gifts from various places. You can easily find on the internet suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and middlemen who will happily serve you with the services you need. There are also a lot of retail gift stores and department stores that offer special services to corporate clients.
With these ethical and practical considerations in mind, you can get as creative as you want to be when it comes to planning for your business corporate gifts